From solar energy to health, UK to fund projects worth £225 mn

projects related to a ‘second green revolution’, cheap eye tests for diabetes patients, and solar energy in India are among several international projects for which funding worth £225 million has been announced by Britain’s apex research body.

Considered one of the most ambitious international research programmes, the Global Challenges Research Fund of the Research Councils UK (RCUK) supports projects in the range of £2-£8m over four years. The projects involve experts from India and Britain. The money has been invested across 37 interdisciplinary projects to address challenges in fields of health, humanitarian crises, conflict, the environment, the economy, domestic violence, society, and technology in various countries, RCUK said.

UK-based eye expert Sobha Sivaprasad will trial some cheap tests that could prevent blindness in India on a large scale. Researchers from institutes and eye hospitals in the two countries plan to roll out a new hand-held camera that could considerably reduce the costs of testing.

A project called TIGR2ESS seeks to frame the question – how to bring about a second Green Revolution – in all its breadth and depth in the context of rapid development or urban spaces. Another project will address India’s plans for solar energy while others include questions relatedtoanti-violencecomputer games, reducing self-harm and suicide, making dams less damaging and making cities fairer in terms of social inequalities.

Jo Johnson, minister for universities and science, said: “From healthcare to green energy, the successful projects receiving funding highlight the strength of UK’s research base and leadership in helping developing countries tackle some of the greatest global issues of our time.”